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Sunday, February 7, 2010

Valentine Birthday Canvas

My sister's birthday is on Valentine's Day, and I decided to make her a special gift this year. Since I am just starting to get into Altered Art, I thought this would be the perfect type of gift to make for her. So she's getting not only a very special birthday valentine, but also my very first official altered art project.

Step One: The Background

I used Golden Fluid Acrylics in a very nice deep red and black to paint the background, and I did just black on the sides of my 8x10 canvas.

Valentine Canvas Background


Step Two: Layered Fabric Heart

I created a heart (it is for Valentine's Day, after all) out of three layers of fabric, including red felt for the biggest heart, grungy muslin for the middle, and a black cotton print for the top. I sewed them all together and then added a transparency image of my sister and I from when we were little.

Valentine Birthday Canvas Heart


Step Three: A Grungy Hang Tag

I created a grungy hang tag with a sentiment I found online, which seemed just perfect for my project.

Valentine Birthday Canvas Hang Tag


Step 4: Embellishments

I added several embellishments: torn paper, some buttons, a key with a heart shape in it etc, and I stamped some text onto the upper part of the canvas for some texture.

Valentine Birthday Canvas Embellishments


Step Five: Some Finishing Touches

To finish it off, I added some stickers, stamped some dragonflies, and stitched the fabric heart directly to the canvas in a few spots, just to make sure it was secure.

Valentine Birthday Canvas


And tomorrow, this first altered art project and gift will be on its way to my sister in Texas.  Hope she likes it!